[Rumours] Bernie wants two major races to alternate

[duke_toaster]

http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/n..._09080404.html (warning : German language source)

So, Canada in (but ignoring the lack of a race in the US, one of the world's largest car markets and the world's largest country that gives a toss about motorsport) but he wants the German Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix to alternate. That's one of Formula One's greatest circuits only being visited every other year, that's one of the most motorsport mad countries only being visited every year and two extremely prestigious sporting events being removed in alternate years.

Presumably that's to go to races in countries that don't care about Formula One or are in the middle of nowhere at dull circuits, then.

[mattt]

The logical way would be for two of the less populated races to share, then there may be able to get larger attendancies

[Adam43]

I am not against a bit of variety each year. Although personally I'd like some to be core (the ones I want!).
However this has been tried in rallying a couple of times and didn't work too well.
One good thing is that if there are more circuits wanting GP than slots in the calendar is that it gives all a chance and gets it to many different markets.
One problem is that to maintain facilities up to the required standard needs more return than just every couple of years.

[BootsOntheSide]

This is a total insult to German motorsport, not to mention to Spa and all the fans who adore it. Not so long ago Germany had 2 races, both getting higher crowds than any of the remote Tilkerings - the Schumacher effect helped, but maybe Vettel is about to be just as big?

[HughGJohnson]

That's the answer to all F1's problems, take away Spa! What a genius! No USA, Canada, Hockenheim or Silverstone. Now Spa and Nurburgring are being turned into a time share. Next to go Monaco and the wheels off the cars.

Bernie has to go. Not from FOM, I mean give him a canteen, some rations and a swiss army knife and drop him off in the middle of the jungle or a desert. If you're wondering if I can possibly be serious... I'm not sure myself.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by HughGJohnson

......Bernie has to go...... give him a canteen, some rations and a swiss army knife and drop him off in the middle of the jungle.......

>>why so generous ?

[nickyf1]

give him a canteen, but have it lined with laxitives!

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I am not against a bit of variety each year. Although personally I'd like some to be core (the ones I want!).
However this has been tried in rallying a couple of times and didn't work too well.
One good thing is that if there are more circuits wanting GP than slots in the calendar is that it gives all a chance and gets it to many different markets.
One problem is that to maintain facilities up to the required standard needs more return than just every couple of years.

The big, BIG difference between this and rallying is that Superleague or A1GP isn't going to "snap up" the Belgian GP (or rather, the event at Spa) like the IRC did with the Monte Carlo rally. If CART had stayed united and kept growing, who knows, but nothing now.

That said, it's a horrible idea. Every championship needs its marquee events. And it needs to go to tracks because they add something to the championship - Spa adds a lot, hence it is in. Right now the only (and I mean only) reason for staging an F1 race at a particular location seems to be money - Monaco excepted. I understand why (so CVC and Bernie can make even more money), but that needs to not be the case any longer.

[Jonerz]

I fear that alternating races is a bad idea. After one year absence (combined with terrible promotion, and a suffering economy) the Honda Indy Toronto (nee Molson Indy, Molson Grand Prix of Toronto, Stealback Grand Prix of Toronto) probably saw 1/3 of the spectators on race day.

Chris

[grantp]

Perhaps someone could suggest to Bernie that he alternates his responsibilities to every other year?

[skycafe]

In defense of US, if you look at participation and spectator counts in Nascar, the open wheel oval series, the sports car events like Sebring, Petit and Laguna, drag racing, and all the local short track ovals for stocks, midgets and sprints, we are doing more than OK...................the lack of US GP however is embarrassing!

The sports big traditional events have been built around stable venues and stable dates. My mid-west family used to travel to Indy every year in the 50's and early 60's. They handed that tradition down generations. LeMans, Monza, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Spa are all the same.

But, this isn't about tradition or spectators, sadly. It isn't even about sport anymore.

Nascar seems to be going backwards somewhat having left behind a lot of their core markets and fans for new markets, that in the end turn out to be fickle. The good old days in Nascar had most of the calendar less than a day's drive from their fan base, who were able to go to several races a year. Those people were ardent fans!

It is all about money, and if Fiji works it out they could have a GP too, but I guess they don't have the GDP to tap into.

Who knows, an Antartica GP could play on TV.

robert the curumudgeon.

[Bononi]

Whatever he likes, we don't.

And vice-versa.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by HughGJohnson

Bernie has to go. Not from FOM, I mean give him a canteen, some rations and a swiss army knife and drop him off in the middle of the jungle or a desert. If you're wondering if I can possibly be serious... I'm not sure myself.

I think it should just be the "Regimental Webley" and one round.

[Yannick]

This suggestion of Bernie only makes sense when considering that he is not willing to lower his tremenduously high starting fee that the circuit promoters have to cough up.
Nürburgring is not willing to be on the calendar again annually, but only every 2 years - and Hockenheim is about to pull out. So it is only logical that Bernie is looking for a track to share half a spot on the calendar with Nürburgring. His suggestion is Spa.

But how about a return of the French GP instead?

Alternating the Bahrain GP and Abu Dhabi GP won't happen because it is countries like that which pay more for a GP. That doesn't necessarily sell cars, but it generates a profit for the commercial rights holder.

[kartracer41]

Originally Posted by Yannick

Alternating the Bahrain GP and Abu Dhabi GP won't happen because it is countries like that which pay more for a GP. That doesn't necessarily sell cars, but it generates a profit for the commercial rights holder.

But how long are those places going to last at that rate? Are they filling the stands? Which track was it that the drivers were complaining about being empty?

[icemachine]

Bernie cares more about his pockets being full than the stands being full. If the Sheiks are willing to pay for a GP, Bernies willing to pocket that cash

[HughGJohnson]

Originally Posted by icemachine

Bernie cares more about his pockets being full than the stands being full. If the Sheiks are willing to pay for a GP, Bernies willing to pocket that cash

Originally Posted by Jimmy Magnusson

The big, BIG difference between this and rallying is that Superleague or A1GP isn't going to "snap up" the Belgian GP (or rather, the event at Spa) like the IRC did with the Monte Carlo rally. If CART had stayed united and kept growing, who knows, but nothing now.

That said, it's a horrible idea. Every championship needs its marquee events. And it needs to go to tracks because they add something to the championship - Spa adds a lot, hence it is in. Right now the only (and I mean only) reason for staging an F1 race at a particular location seems to be money - Monaco excepted. I understand why (so CVC and Bernie can make even more money), but that needs to not be the case any longer.

I imagine Spa makes him more money than he realises. It's good for the sport, which is good for his bank account. It would be short sighted to cut it back or eliminate it the race.

Originally Posted by MGDavid

>>why so generous ?

All excellent points. In fact, I have a better idea. Drop him off in the wilderness with nothing but his money. Thousands of years from now the story of "Bernie the Troll" will be told to children warning them about the fallacy of greed.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by kartracer41

But how long are those places going to last at that rate? Are they filling the stands? Which track was it that the drivers were complaining about being empty?

I think I heard somewhere along the line that the USGP at Indy had more people passing through the gate then any of the others.

And there is no race there...............

Something is wrong and remains wrong.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by icemachine

Bernie cares more about his pockets being full than the stands being full. If the Sheiks are willing to pay for a GP, Bernies willing to pocket that cash

Here's the thing, and I don't seem to be a Sheik so maybe I don't have the right mindset. If you are coming up with money wouldn't you want something to show for it? Does an International race with largely empty spectator areas really show off how well you have spent your money? To me it would seem to lack bragging rights.

But maybe it is all in how you package it. Camera angle just the right way won't show it.

[DougK]

Would it not just be easier, more prfoitable (for all including the teams if they get their cut) and better for spectators just to extend it to 20 races per season. Do away with all these gaps and just have a race every other weekend?

There should be very little extra cost for the teams to add a couple of extra races in.